Stored function calculator



Sept. 16, 1952 E. A. AvAKlAN 2,610,791

STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR Filed April 18, 195o 7 sheeis-sheet 1 Marmi 148 n//rcw flu/En fr Sept. 16, 1952 E. A. AVAKIAN sToRED FUNCTION CALCULATOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1950 717 z/H fr Emi/ A A @diam Sept. 16, 1952 E. A. AVAKIAN STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 18, 1950 fm'fenf 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 EMA Aaz'a/Z E. A. AVAKIAN STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR Sept. 16, 1952 Flled Apr-1 18 1950 Sept 16, 1952 E. A. AVAKIAN 2,619,791

STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR [N1/Ef? fr EMA A aiz'afz @27 ffMQ/H/@S Sept. 16, 1952 E. A. AVAKIAN 2,610,791

STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR Filed April 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 www www 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 c Q N NNN @Wmv x x NM. Up Ju En E. A. AVAKIAN Sept. 16, 1952 STORED FUNCTION CALCULATOR Filed April 18, 1950 @EET u u .WSW NWN Patented Sept. 16, 1952 V UNITED STATES Partnr orifice STORED FUNCTIGN CALCULATOR AEmik A. Avakian, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application April 1S, 1950, Serial N 156,580

The present invention relates to calculating apparatus, and more particularly, to a memory" device for such apparatus comprising stored, systematically arranged symbols, an automatic selector and a translator. lt relates to all types of telecommunication apparatus, as Well as calculating apparatus, wherever predetermined responses subject to tabulation are to be introduced.

An object of this invention is to provide a calculating apparatus which is quite compact and yet stores for quick selection over one million discrete responses.

Another object of this invention is to store indicia of these responses by means of meaningful patterns of translucent points printed on otherwise opaque nlm.

Another object oi this invention is to? arrange the indicia or patterns in an orderly manner to facilitate rapid automatic selection.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic selector to accurately position the required symbol for optical projection.

A further object of this invention is to adapt a standard calculating machine to actuate the selector and to receive the responses.

Still a `further object of the invention is to provide a translator to convert the optically pr^- jected pattern into a suitable signal response.

Another specific object of this invention is to mount the iilms imprinted with the symbols ulJOll separa-te spool and sprocket systems, any onerof which may be selected. l

Another specic object of the invention is t arrange the symbols in rectilinear tabular forms, so that by axial translation and simultaneous rotation of the film mounts, the correct position on the lm may be rapidly selected.

VAnother object of the invention is to provide a unique optical reading device, whereby a scanning shade upon which a single selected pattern is projected sequentially admits the discrete squares of light composing the pattern into a chamber containing a photo-responsive element.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a ten-key adding machine is provided to carry on the arithmetic computations, to print lthe numbers and symbols which are important to the calculation, to actuate the selector, and to receive the codified responses. symbols stored on the iilms represent various tabulated functions, such as logarithms, trigonometric functions and the like. As these functions are to be carried to six places, the selector has six separate electromagnetic drive units, each for In this embodiment, the

11 Claims. (Cl. 2355-6153) l an order of digit and all operable simultaneously.

In operation, the keys of the adding machine are depressed in proper sequence to represent, for example, a six digit number. When the nonadd key is depressed, six print bars are raised to heights corresponding to the value of the respective digits. The movements of each of the bars are sensed and simultaneously conveyed to the six corresponding drive units. Therewith, the proper symbol is brought before a collimated beam of light to be projected onto the translator.

This translator, as it scans the projected light pattern, transmits electrical pulses to the adding machine to actuate the appropriate keys in the proper sequence. The new number now placed in the machine is the correct function value of the original number.

A feature of the invention is, then, a closedloop response system.

A further feature relates to the exclusively electrical interconnections between the controlling apparatus and the responsive apparatus, whereby the controlling apparatus may be positioned remotely from the remainder. Furthermore, several such apparatus may be alternatively switched into the circuit to allow control from different stations. It is contemplated that this invention might be used in industrial process control, making appropriate responses to several variable parameters. Also, the electrical nature of the input and output signals suggest the use of this invention with tele-communication systems.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the following detailed description, referring to the illustrated embodiment which is shown by way of an example, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view, with some parts cut away, of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partial cross-section of the lmholding drum along the line II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the nlm-holding drum along the line III-III of Figure l, with a portion cut away to reveal the Zero return device;

Figure 4 is a detailed showing of the row selecting drive taken from line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows the plan of the controlling keyboard;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of the machine taken on line VI-VI of Figure i with the print bar position senser shown below;

Figure 7 illustrates the layout of patterns on a film strip, the patterns corresponding to input numbers running from zero to 99,999;

Figure 8 is an enlarged View of the portion A of Fig. '1;

Figure 9 is an enlarged showing of the portion B of Figure 8, illustrating the symbol for log 307;

Figure 10 is a developed View of the continuous scanning shade; and

Figure l1 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus.

In Figure l, the machine is seen in plan view as a ten-key controlling calculator 2B. This calculator is connected only by electrical cables to the remainder of the device. This calculator 2G is similar in many respects to a conventional tenkey adding machine such as in the VSundstrand Patent No. 1,198,487, but it is to be understood that any ten-key adding machine, including those most lately devel-oped, may be utilized. The only restrictions are that the machine have a suicient digit capacity and that the working parts be not so restricted vas to prohibit the modifications thereto which will hereinafter be specified. It is desirable that the keyboard include a non-add key, a non-print key, an error key, a sub-total and a total key and any additional keyswhich are common to modern calculators.

The film support structure` Connected with the controlling calculator by the cable 2| is the symbolpattern storer 22. The movable elements Aof the storer 22 are supported by two'endwise pedestals 23and 24 which are secured to acommon carriage 25.

Referring now toFigure 2, pedestal 23 has secured to its upper portion an extended, horizontal spindle 26 which toward its outward endindirectly supports a spider hub 21. The other pedestal 24 has its upper vportion formed as a hollowed spindle 28 on the outward surface of which a second spider hub 29 is journaled. A flangell, formed integrally with the hub 29, extends against a shoulder 3l on the pedestal to partially restrain the axial movement of the end plate. Between the plates 21 and 29 are mounted a large number of film taker-up spools 32 and 29, and drive sprockets 33. A drum 22a comprising the plates 21 and 29 andthe film spools is thus formed. 'A

The drive sprockets 33 are supported by trunnion pins 3d and 35, vfitting Vin bearing holes 36 and 31 suitably positioned in the end plates 21 and 29.' A'roll film 38 (see Figure 3) is transported from one spool to the other spool and is guided by the fianges 39 at either end of the spools. The drive sprockets 33 are provided with film-engaging teeth 49 at either end to coact with perforations 'dl (Figure '1) positioned along the length of the film.

Each take-up spool 32 isV biased to wind film upon itself much as an ordinary curtain shade roll. The pin 49a at one end is round and fits in a circular socket dla. The tongue 42 at the other end of this spool 32 is secured against rotation in a non-circular matching socket 43 and extends freely through the end fiange 45. The spool 32 is free to rotate while the pin 42 remains stationary. In the hollow interior 3S of this spool, a spiral spring 41 is secured both to the pin 42 and to the interior wall of the spool at 68. This spring is spiral wound so as t0 urge the spool to turn in a direction which will take up additional film,

In Figure 3, the arrangement of all of the spools around the drum is shown to be aseries of Ls, one leg of which extends radially and 4 the other, generally, circumferentially. The spool 33a at the junction of the two legs is the drive spool. The film 38a is maintained taut across the drive spool surface by means of take-up spool 32a and a contrarily biased supply spool 49a. Each of these L-shaped units is the same except in respect to the pattern printed upon the respective films 38.

It is contemplated that the first ten films will carry complementary portions of the six-place common logarithm tabla'that the remaining four films will carry in order sine, cosine and tangent trigonometric functions and natural logarithms, these latter being carried to five places.

In order that each of the films might tend toward a specific zero position, the bias spring 41 in spool 32 -is made dominant over the corresponding spring 50 in spool 49 for all positions of thev film. Therefore, the film will normally wind upon spool 32. l As illustrated in FigureA 3, the film unit cornprising `spools 32d, 33d and 9d is properly positioned for the projection of a film pattern 5l by light emanating vfrom a projector lamp 52. This lamp l52 comprises a housing 53, a focusing lens 54, a collimator 55, and a light source 56. The entire projector unit is suspended atthe axis of the drum 22a, by four cantilever rods 51 which, in turn, are secured to a supporting post 58. Thus, while the position of the film drum 22a may be altered extensively in a manner to be setV forth hereafter, the projector lamp will furnish a collimated beam of light directed along a fixed, invariant, horizontal line. Y s

The possible rotational positions which the drum 22a may take are so selected that the pro jected light beam will pass between the spools 33 and 49 of a set, corresponding to spools 33d and 49d here shown. Then, depending on the extent to which the film has been wound off the spool 32cland depending upon the relative axial posin tion of the lm drum 22a with respect to lamp 52, a particular film pattern 5I will be positioned squarely across lthe light beam. The mechanism forl bringing this particular film pattern 5lV into position will next be described.

Suitable cross Abracing may be added between the plates 2l and 29 tol increase their torsional rigidity.

The Vnumber symbolselector mechanism In order that the desired symbol may be properly positioned in the line of the collimated light beam, a solenoid-type drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the lm drum, to turn the film spools, and to translate the drum carriage along a set of tracks. The gear and rack assemblies which are acted upon by the drive mechanism will first be considered.

In Figure 2, the spindle 2B has a-journaled sleeve 58 fitted upon its length, which sleeve directly supports at its outward end the spider plate 21. Moreover, this plate is fixed to rotate with the sleeve by means of a key 59 or any other conventional device. The end of the sleeve 58, adjacent the pedestal 23, has the form of an integral pair of pinions 69 and 6|, ratchet teeth being provided around their periphery. Since the end plate 21 is keyed to the sleeve, it and the entire film drum 22 will turn with the pinions 'S9 and 6|. To effect this turning, the solenoid drive mechanism 62 secured to the pedestal 23 acts upon which are shown here by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation.

Between the pinion 6| and the end plate 21, four gears 63, 64, 65 and 66 are journaled on the sleeve. The gear 66 is positioned as a sun gear and is in mesh with a plurality of planetary gears 61 which turn the lm drive sprockets 33 through the shafts 34. Since the shafts 34 are fixed with respect to the plate 21, any relative movement between the sun gear 66 and this plate will result in turning each and every one of the drive sprockets, fourteen of them here illustrated.

To make possible such a relative motion as will contain coarse and iine components in correspondence to the several digit values of multiordered numbers, the several component motions are cascaded through the four adjacent pinions. The coarsest component is entered by the drive mechanism 68 acting upon pinion 6|. Appropriately, there might be ten positions available, spaced equally around one complete revolution of pinion 63 relative to pinion 6|. As the drive 62 controls the position of the pinion 60, this relative rotation will be more readily conceived if pinion 6| is considered to be xed with respect to the spindle 26. Then the drive 68 attached to the face of pinion 63, that pinion will be rotated relative to the spindle.

Drive 69 will transmit the rotation of pinion 63 to the adjacent pinion 64. It will also contribute an additional component of rotation to correspond to a lower order digit. These two components of motion are carried on to pinion 65 through drive 1|] and a third and finer component added. Drive 1| contributes a fourth component yet hner, and transmits the resulting motion to sun gear 66. As this rotation has been established relative to pinion 6|, it exists to the same extent relative to the plate 21. The result is a repositioning of the films of each of the units by the planetary gears '61.

It is contemplated that each of the drives 62, 68, 69, and 1| will be actuated simultaneously. In consequence, while the desired film unit is being brought into position, the lm of the unit and each of the other units is being wound oli` the take-up spool 32, onto spool 49 to an extent determined simultaneously by four additive components oi motion. If these components represent digits in a decimal system, the ratio of numbers of teeth in adjacent gears will be 10:1. However, to effect a shift from log symbols to' antilog symbols or from a trigonometric function to an angle, the teeth of one set of adjacent pinions stand in the ratio of 1:2. In the particular form illustrated, this set consists of pinions 63 and 64.

The drive mechanisms by means of which the component relative rotations are added is best illustrated in Figure 4. Power drive mechanism 1|, attached to pinion 66, acts upon the teeth of pinion 65. Likewise, drive mechanisms 10, 69 and 68 are attached to their respective pinions 65, 64 and 63 and act upon the teeth of the adjacent smaller pinions. Each of these drive mechanisms may comprise the same elements, though the proportions of these elements may be varied. Each drive comprises a drive solenoid 12 and a release solenoid 13, each attached to appropriate energizing sources by leads which are not here shown. The drive solenoids actuate a pawl 14 in opposition to a spring 15. When the solenoid is deenergized, the spring draws the pawl away from contact with the ratchet teeth 16. While the pawl is being returned to its deenergized position, a motion-arresting pawl 11 is forced against the ratchet teeth by a spring 18. lWhen the release solenoid 13 is energized. it will disengage the arresting pawl 11 to permit the teeth to be rotated back to their zero position. While this description has been given with reference to the drive mechanism 1|, it may be applied without change to the other drive mechanisms.

The return to a zero position mentioned above is achieved in part through the stored energy in springs 41 of the take-up spools 32. It will be recalled that these are the dominant springs in each of the film units. A stop device 19 (Figure 2) acting between contiguous faces of gear 66 and end plate 21 limits the return of the film to a denite position by limiting the relative rotation backward between the plate and the sun gear 66.

Exactly similar to the above described drive mechanisms is the drive '62 mounted on the pedestal 23. When the release solenoid of this drive is energized, a return spring 88 (Figure 3), mounted in a housing 8| jutting from the hub 30 returns the entire drum 22a to a zero position. This zero position occurs when housing 8| projecting from hub 3Q strikes the pin 82.

The translating drive is in many respects similar to the rotational drive. Referring back to Figure l, the tracks 83 on which the base 25 moves are seen to run in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum 22a. At the rear of the base, a ratchet bar 84 is guided on a parallel track 85. Behind this movable ratchet bar 84 lies a stationary platform 86 on which are mounted a drive solenoid mechanism 81, an arresting pawl 88 and a release solenoid 89. These devices function exactly as the above described drives, such as 1|, acting upon the ratchet teeth 84a of bar 84. The bar may be advanced to any one of a number of equally spaced, discrete positions, which for the decimal system would number 10. This provides a coarse component of translational position. A similar drive 90 and releasable arrester 9| act upon teeth 92 of ner pitch which Iare secured to base 25. Thus, whatever motion is imparted to the ratchet bar 84 is transferred to the base 25, with an additional component of motion supplied by drive 98. For use with decimal numerals, the teeth 84a may have a pitch 10 times that of teeth 92.

As before, provision is made for a zero return position. When the release solenoids 89 and 89a are energized, the tension stored in spring 93 returns the base 25 against the stops 94. In returning, the base also engages boss 95 projecting from the ratchet bar so as to return the bar also to a zero position.

It is contemplated that all the components of motion may be introduced simultaneously, the components rapidly being added to give a resultant position. It is furthermore contemplated that all the release solenoids may be energized simultaneously to return the drum and hlm to their zero positions.

Calculator-controller The calculator 2t! of Figure 1 performs the multiple function of printing, adding and subtracting numbers, controlling the selector mechanism, and responding to information provided by the translation device. A paper supply roll e6, a feed roll 91, print bars 98, and a ten-key keyboard are shown in conventional arrangement in the right-hand portion of the device. At the left, the special controls are grouped.

7 Mechanical operating power for this jdevice may be supplied either through the hand crank or fromthe now familiar electric motor drives.

In Figure 5, the keyboard is shown in detail. Surrounding and operating upon each of the ten digit keys |0| is a solenoid |02. When suitably energized, these solenoids act to depress the keys just as an operator would with his fingers. Flanking the digit keys |0| are the usual auxiliary keys including expressly a non-add key |03, a total'key |04, and a non-print key |05.

'I'he'ifemainde'rv of the switchboard exhibits the special controls. Actuator |06 is the main on-on power'switch for this apparatus. Motor actuator switch 01 starts the translation device motor upon its Vscanning cycle, in a manner which will be discussed Vat greater length hereafter.

'Ihe reset key |08 may be pressed to energize all-the release solenoids, permitting the selector mechanism to reset to zero. In the application of this device to computations involving logarithms, anti-log key |09 actuates the selector mechanism to bring before the projected light beam those symbols representing anti-logs rather than logarithms. Above these buttons, a modified telephone call dial ||0 is provided as a selector of the films bearing functions other than logarithnis.v To obtain a cosine function, for example, the operator places his finger in aperture |II and dials in the -usual manner. The interior mechanism of the dial then sends out twelve time-spaced electric pulses to the film selector drive 62 (Figure 2). Of these twelve pulses, ten are automatically supplied to carry the selector mechanism past the contemplated ten logarithm lms. The remaining number of pulses will determine which of the auxiliary film units is selected. In this case, the second, bearing tabulated cosine functions would be positioned before the projector lamp In Figure 6, an elevational view of the print bar 98 is obtained. In the familiar fashion, when the crank |00 is operated, the printing mechanism raises the print bar 98 until the proper print-type carrying plunger I|2 is in printing position, The plungers carry numerals from zero 4to nine arranged in order with 0 at the top. One print bar 98 is provided for each numerical order. While the digit value for each numerical order is set into the machine in proper sequence, Athe print bars 98 all rise simultaneously when actuated.

vIn this embodiment, the vertical movement of each print bar will control the operation of a separate selector drive. Thus, print bar 98 would, through its associated position sensor mechanism H3, control the selector drive 68, the numerical order represented being ten thousandth.V The position sensor mechanism com-V prises a slotted lever arm IIA which follows pin I l6projecting from the print bar 98. A pivoted insulator hub ||6 is fastened to the arm I|4 and to a contact arm I|1. Through friction urged contacts |I8 associated with the hub, the contact arm ||1 is grounded at I I9 only when it is rotating in a clockwise direction. Thus, as arm I| 1 moves clockwise in response to the rising print bar 98, it successively makes electrical contact with contact points |20, all of which are connected to a common line |2I. If voltage is applied t0 line |2I, there will arise a succession of current pulses corresponding in number to the digit printed by the selected type plunger II2 on the corresponding print bar 98. There will be no larger a number since the contacts I I8 are broken when the arm I lI1 ceases its clockwise rotation, and commences a return rotation.

The stored function representation As suggested above, the tabular values of various functions are materialized in symbolic form by patternsl (Figure 1) of translucent points imprinted on opaque films.y To cooperate with the selector mechanism, these symbol patterns are arranged seriatim in rectilinear columns and rows. Furthermore, the translucencies of each pattern are spaced within a meaningful grid, the rows of which represent numerical orders and the columns of which represent the digit values from 0 to 9. This is known as the .Hollerith point system.

It is contemplated in the illustrated embodiment to utilize 10 film units, each with two hundred thousand (200,000) separate symbols for common logarithm tables. For the auxiliary function, one nlm unit is provided again with two hundred thousand (200,000) symbols per film. Thus, the common logarithm tables may be carried out to six places or numerical orders, while the tables of auxiliary functions may be carried to five places. Other arrangements will readily be accommodated.

In Figure '1, the first lm is illustratedwith longitudinal breaks in order that the entire length may be included. Transversely to the film strip are rows of symbols, in each row, here shown divided into groups of tens by transverse parallel dotted lines. Likewise, every ten are indicated by a longitudinal dotted line. These dotted lines, of course, are not actually imprinted upon the lm, but are illustrated merely for the purposes of ready visualization. On either side of the marked area |24 running the length of the film 38 is a border strip |25 carrying sprocket perforations 4| by which the nlm is advanced.

The number values associated with the dotted lines I 22 and |23 show generally the order in which the symbols are arranged. These values correspond with the number placed upon the keys' I 0| to the printed bar values and which are sensed by the mechanism ||3. While the particular arrangement shown is necessitated by relations within the selector mechanism, through changes in this selector mechanism, many other symbol arrangements could be incorporated. Here illustrated, the symbols are arranged in ascending order 0 to 99 in the first row, 100 to 199 in the second row, and so forth down the length of the lm. However, every alternate set of ten rows repeats the arrangement of the first set, but with `the symbols representing anti-logarithms instead of logarithms as in the first alternate sets. Proceeding in this fashion, the patterns are thus arranged ending with the set of ten rows, the last symbol of vwhich corresponds to the antilogarithm of 99,999.

In Figure 8, the frame set A marked off in Figure 7 is enlarged to afford a more detailed view of the pattern layout. The patterns in each of the frames |26, |21 follow the same order yet differ in that the patterns of frame |26 represent logarithmic values while those of frame |21 represent antilogarithmic values. Dotted lines |28 and |29 are again used illustratively to indicate the outlines of the symbols, one hundred of which comprise each frame. Blocked.v out in solid lines is the symbol B by which the Alog- 9 arithm of 307 is representedv (diagramrnati, cally illustrated here).

This symbol B is likewise enlarged in Figure 9 to show clearly the manner in which the transparent points are arranged to represent a sixfplace numeral. Again, an illustrative grid is Superposed upon the nlm, here consisting of longitudinal dotted lines |30 and transverse dot,s ted lines |'3|. Only theblockedrout squares |32 are transparent, the remainder of the nlm being opaque. Since the rows are marked as representing ascending numerical orders, and ,the columns are marked as representing the digits from t 9, it iS .evident that the maniSSa Of the logarithm 307 is here shown to be 215774, Similar transparencies |32 distributed one te each row in each of the other symbols will repre- Sent their velueS- .A11 exception existe. with the symbols representing the auxiliary function values in that no transparencies are located in the top row representing the sixth numerical order, or 100,0D0s. As has been explained, these auxiliary functions are to be Carried out to only ve places.

The manner in which an anti-logarithmic value is obtained in contrast .to a logarithmic val-ue will become more apparent `Irom the discussion of the circuit diagram of Figure l1. However, it may be -noted that just as selector drive ,62 brings in position the correct nlm, selector drive 68 brings into position the desired two hundred rows of a given nl m, the selector drive 6 9 brings to vposition the desired twenty rows of these, just as does selector drive 1Y0 select the desired ten rows, those containing logarithmic values or vthose containing anti-logarithmic values. Moreover, selector drive 1| positions the desired single row infront of the projector 5|, while drive V81 positions the desired set of ten columns and drive 90 positions the single column of .the set in front o f the projected light beam. Thus, through the operation of the seven s eparate selector drives, a single symbol or pattern such as B is positioned across the light beam. Upon pushing the reset button |98, the springs 41, 80 and 9 3 will return the `zero-zero pattern C of nim lo. 1 into position Yfor projection.

Translator response mechanism The patterns above described are necessarily7 interpreted and-translated into the-usual decimal numeral form. To accomplish this, the photosensitive translator |33 (Figure 1) and photoamplifier |34 are incorporated in the apparatus. Together, these devices energize tliekeydepreesme' solenoids 1.02 the sequence ef the .digits Comprising the number vrepreS.rented ,by theeymbol which h as been projected.

Before the symbol light pattern reaches `the .translator |33, itis magnified by an enlarging lens |35 and, thereafter. reversed by reflection in mirror |36. VBy' adjusting this mirror, Vthe pattern is castcentrally upon an aperture 137| in the translator housing |38. While the housing is here shown without a top, in its operative state, it is light-tight excepting only at v'the single aperture |31. Passing across and pressed against this ,aperture on its inside face is a shade |39 passing as a continuous strip along the guides |40. A sprocket |4| acting on `the span of the shade |39 opposite the aperture vserves to drive the shade horizontally across the aperture. Within the -shadespaih ef trevelendin line-with l0 the light beam and the aperture is a photo-sensitive device U12.

While the shade is generally opaque as seen in Figure 10, there are provided a number of perforations 43 aligned in a row oblique to the Ydirection of travel indicated by the arrow. The aperture |37 is here illustrated in dotted lines as a rectangle of length and width equal to the dimensions of the projected pattern. As the shade travels in the direction indicated, the top row of the pattern corresponding to the sixth numerical order of ten is swept by perforation Mila.. Then, in succession, the remaining rows are swept by perforations |4317, M3C, and so forth. it will be recalled that the projected light pattern is composed of one ray of light per row or one -for each transparent square |32. Thus, when perforation |1553 a passes in iront of the light beam in the row of sixth order, the light may pass h rough and fall upon the light-sensitive device le?. In like manner, the remaining perforations will at some point of their travel across the width oi the aperture |37 coincide in position with a beam o f light, passing the light inwardly to the discharge device.

While the sprocket IM, driven by an electric motor hifi, advances the shade by engagement with sprocket holes along its top and bottoni edges, the motor acting through shaft iil simultaneously drives a key selector switch il'l and a motor" control switch |43. The key selector switchY I4? is so synchronized with the travel of shade |39 as to complete one revolution during the time taken by a single perforation |43 to cross the width of the light pattern (Figure 9). The successive perforations |43 may be so spaced that as one just passes beyond the projected light area, the next following just enters upon it. Thus, the key selector switch |11?, preferably a rotary switch, will make the same contact as successive perforations |43 assume like positions relative to the projected light pattern. YBy providing ten contacts |69 (as in Figure 11), the positions at which the perforations |43 can coinide with the separate rays of the projected light pattern, there being ten such positions as shown in Figure 9, will be made to correspond with vthe ten contact positions of this key selector switch.

A s will be explained more fully in connection with the circuit diagram of Figure l1, the motor switch |48 sustains the energization of the motor u|44 after the starter button |67 is depressed and until the shade completes a cycle of travel, locating each ray of the pattern.

yReferring now to Figure 11, when the power switch IDB which is connected to a power supply through line l 5| is closed, voltage will be impressed upon the selector drive solenoids |52 and the reset solenoids |53. The drive solenoids |52 may be grounded through their respective print bar position sensing switches H3, excepting drive Ysolenoid 59 which may be grounded through the anti-logarithm switch I. The lm selector solenoid 62 may also be grounded through the lm selector dial ll, which is in parallel with the multi-position switch |3a. For convenience, each of the switches |13 are represented only by their respective arc of contacts |29, only a single pivoted contact arm being illustrated for the group. It will be recalled that only as the arm -||-'I moves clockwise over the contact |25 is a ground connection made. Thus, as the print bars S8 rise to their respective printing positions, the drive solenoids |52 are energized intermit- 1 l tently by a proportionate number of electrical pulses, corresponding to the digit aligned for printing. Y

Referring back to the example of a cosine function being selected, it will be recalled that only ve numerical orders have been provided for in the preparation of the auxiliary function films. Since the print bar 98 which prints the sixth numerical order would then be dormant, no energization of drive solenoid 62 would arise from the associated position sensor switch ||3a. Instead, the operator in turning the dial I I to the cosine position would cau-se the drive solenoid 62 to be energized by twelve timed electrical pulses. It is apparent that this invention need not be limited to this particular form, as any device supplying spaced electrical pulses could be used to control the solenoid drive.

The reset solenoids |53 are simultaneously energized when reset switch |08 is closed. The entire selector mechanism is, therefore, controlled by four elements of the device, the print bar position sensors ||3, the anti-logarithm switch |09, the auxiliary function selector dial I I0, and the reset switch |08. Y Lead |5| also carries power through the switch |06 to a main power bus |54. The motor switch |48 interposes in the line |5| to deenergize the bus |54 upon the completion of each translator shade cycle. Tostart the motor |44 upon a new cycle, it must be caused to rotate by means of a momentary supply of power in order that the motor switch |43 will be set again to its closed position. This momentary power is supplied through starter switch |01 and line |55 connected to the bus |54. v

As the motor proceeds upon a new cycle of rotation, the contact arm |56 of the key selector switch |41 passes over the -ten contacts |49 in succession. However, power is supplied to the contact arm |56 only when a relay is closed. In control of this relay |51l is the photo-circuit amplifier |34 which is responsive to the condition of the photo-sensitive device |42. As the rst shade perforation |43a travels across the upper row of the projected light pattern, representing the sixth numerical order, consider the instant when the perforation coincides in position with a ray of the light pattern representing the digit 2. The ray of light will pass from the source 52 onto the light-sensitive surface of the discharge deviceA |42.v The amplifier |34 immediately reacts to close the relay |51, thereby applying voltage tothe contact arm |56. Since the position of this arm and that of the perforations |43 are synchronized to correspond a given digit at each instant, the contact arm |56 will now be upon contact |490 representing the digit 2. This contact |49c carries current to' the solenoid |02c to its associated key |0|, which is the 2 key. vAs successive perforations |43 move before the remaining rays of the light pattern, the keys 0|` will be set in order to place in the machine the remaining ve digits of the sixdigit number.

Mode of operation value ofthe seconds represented as lthe nearest tenth of a minute. Alternatively, the angle could be represented by its Value in radians, carried to ve places. At any rate, the value of the angle is placed upon the keyboard and the sine function selected on the dial l0. The nonprint key |05 and the non-add key |03 are then depressed in that order. The print bars 98 rise to the positions corresponding to. the number 37404 at the same time moving the position sensor switches ||3 through corresponding arcs. The impulses flowingY through drive solenoid 62 and the selector'dial ||0 rotate the drum 22a through eleven positions to bring the film 38 on which the sine functions are tabulated into position for projection. At the same time, the other solenoids 68, 10, 1|.' 81, and 90 reel lthe lm and shift the drum to bring the exact pattern representing the sine of 31 degrees, 40.4 minutes into the path of the light beam.

The operator then presses the motor start switch |01 to initiate the translator cycle. The number .represented by the selected pattern is then set into the machine in the manner described above. The operator presses first the reset |08 to return the drum tov its zero position and then presses the non-print key |05 and 'the non-add key |03. Again, the print bars rise when the crank is rotated, this time to positions representing the sine of 3'1 degrees 40.4 minutes. The,V selector mechanism properly locates the symbol on the rst logarithmic lm representing the mantissa of this value. As the motor switch |48 has automatically turned motor |44 off at the end of its cycle, the start switch |01 is again depressed. When the Value of the mantissa has been registered on the keyboard, the operator moves crank |00 to cause this value to be printed, and to be set into the adding wheels.

After the reset button |08 hasV been depressed to reposition the drum, the number 307 is placed upon the keyboard, the non-print and the non-add keys are depressed, the crank |00 is operated, and the selector mechanism lpositions the corresponding mantissa pattern. After the motor start button |01 has been depressed and the mantissa placed upon the keyboard, the crank is again operated to cause this value to be printed just below the iirst and to be placed on the adding wheels. Then after the reset button |08 has been depressed preparing the drum to assume a new position, the total key |04 is likewise depressed to4 print the total of the mantissa values. This is accomplished when the crank |00 is operated. at which time the selector mechanism is also set in motion. Since the value now selected is the mantissa of the logarithm of the total Whichis not desired, the operator depresses the anti-logarithm key |09 to obtain the desired answer. This anti-'logarithm will be placed on the keyboard after the motor start switch' is closed and will'be printed as the answer when the crank |00 `is,V operated. The decimal pointmay readily be placed by estimation.

If Va modern calculating machine were used having electric motor drive, a subtract key, and other familiar improvements, the operations would lnecessarily be' made Vsimpler and 'more flexible. -It is also conceived that indicia might befprinted beside the valuesA to indicate those which are sines, angles,l mantissa, and simple numbers just as totals and sub-totals are commonly indicated. Y v Y f Y The illustrated 'embodiment may include an additional contact inthe motor switch |48 by means of which the reset solenoids are energized just prior to the completion of a cycle but after the pattern has been translated, thereby preparing the drum for a new position. It is furthermore conceived that with the development of the art improved forms of the print bar sensor and the selector mechanism may Well be devised.

In describing this device in the capacity of a numerical calculator, it is not intended that it should be limited to this useful form. Clearly, alphabetical letters and symbols of all kinds could be dealt with in a numberless variety of systems. The only necessity is that there be a predeterininable correspondence between the input and output symbols which may be systematically represented by a pattern of light.

This device provides a cascaded stored function selector which may receive as many as six variable parameters, a compact holder upon which over a million function values may be stored in symbol forms, each of these symbols corresponding to six parameters, means for optically amplifying the symbols and interpreting them, and for making a response in the same form as that of the stimulus received, that is, by setting the keys of the calculator.

While the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the present description are deemed to be practical and efficient, the invention should not be considered as limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from tie principles of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention:

V1. The combination comprising a recorder having a plurality of keys to be actuated, valuestoring means including a film having discrete information imprinted in patterns thereon, optical projection means, selector means responsive to the actuation of the keys of said recorder for positioning selected portions of said film in position to have the pattern thereof projected by said optical projection means, and a photo-sensitive translator including means responsive to said projected pattern to actuate certain of said keys in correspondence therewith.

2. The combination comprising a recorder having a plurality of keys to be actuated, valuestoring means including a plurality of lms having information imprinted in discrete patterns in columns and rows thereon, optical projection means, selector means responsive to the actuation of the keys of said recorder for moving a selected one of said nlms in position to have a portion of its pattern projected by said optical projection means and to advance said film in the direction of said columns to position such a selected portion of its pattern for projection, and a photo-sensitive translator including means responsive to the projected pattern to actuate certain of said keys in correspondence therewith.

3. The combination comprising a recorder having a plurality of keys to be actuated, valuestoring means including a plurality of lrns having discrete information imprinted in patterns thereon, a cage mounted for rotation and axial translation, a plurality of supply spools circumferentially spaced in said cage around the axis of rotation thereof, each supply spool carrying one of said lms, a plurality of take-up spools mounted in said cage, each positioned to receive lm from one of said supply spools,

optical projection means mounted within said cage, selector means responsive to the actuation of the keys of said recorder for rotating said cage to position a selected one of said films opposite said optical projection means, said selector means also including means for advancing said lms from their respective supply spools to their respective take-up spools and for axially shifting said cage, whereby a discrete portion of a selected one of said lms is positioned to be optically projected by said optical projection means, and a photo-sensitive translator including means responsive to said projected pattern to actuate certain of said keys in correspondence therewith.

4. The combination comprising a recorder, means for materially storing recordable values including a member having optically distinctive patterns imprinted on a surface thereof seriatim in columns and rows, said patterns representing codiiied recordable values, optical projection means, selector means driven by said recorder to move said member relative to said projection means in the directions of said columns and rows, whereby one of said patterns corresponding to a value placed in said recorder will be posi.- tioned for projection, a photo-sensitive translator responsive to the projected pattern and operative to place in said recorder the value represented by said pattern for subsequent driving of said selector means.

5. In a calculating machine, the combination comprising means for materially storing recordable values including a member having optically distinctive patterns imprinted on a surface thereof seriatim in columns and rows, said patterns representing codiiied recordable values, optical projection means, selector means to move said member relative to said projection means in the directions of said columns and rows whereby one of said patterns will be positioned for projection, key-actuated recording means, sensing means responsive to a value recorded thereby to actuate said selector means to position a pattern which will have a functional relationship to the recorded value, a photo-sensitive translator responsive to the projected pattern having means operative to place the value represented by said pattern in said recording means for recordation and control of said sensing means.

G. In a calculating apparatus including a recorder, means for materially storing recordable values comprising a base, aligned spindles mounted thereon, spider hubs mounted on said spindles for rotation, nlm-holding spools journaled between said hubs, said spools grouped in sets of three including a supply spool, a drive spool and a take-up spool in each set, a single nlm associated with each set, means to revolve said drive spools about their individual axes including sun and planetary gear mechanism and a cascaded pinion drive, each said film having imprinted thereon codified patterns seriatim in columns and rows, a projector lamp suspended between said hubs and in alignment with said spindles, drive means for rotating said hubs to position one of said sets for projection, a second drive means operative upon said gear and pinion mechanism whereby said nlm is transferred between its associated spools, a third drive means acting upon said base whereby said nlm is translated in a direction axial with respect to said spools, all of said drives being controlled by said recorder, whereby the pattern associated with a single-row and a single column of a selected :film may bepositioned for projection.

7. In a recorder having a means for materially storing recordable values associated therewith, mechanism for recording decimal numbers including a print bar for each decimal order, printing type representing the digits carried by said bars in vertical arrangement seriatim, a multicontact electrical switch associated with each bar, solenoid drive means associated with each switch to select a stored value, said switches being rotated by said print bars in proportion to vertical movement thereof while bringing said .type into printing position, said switches actuating said solenoid means each the number of times represented by the digit printed by the respective print bars, whereby said solenoid drive selects a stored value corresponding to the printable value placed in the said recorder.

8. In a register, the combination of a calculator, a function-storing means, function value selector means, an optical projector and a value translator, said storing means including a nlm and a film mount to position said film in discrete steps, said film having optically distinctive patterns imprinted thereon for projection by said projector onto said translator, said patterns each a codified function value arranged seriatim, said selector means being sensitive to a value in said calculator to adjust said film mount to a corresponding discrete position whereby a pattern is positioned for projection onto said translator, said translator comprising a photo-sensitive electrical device and scanning means to admit successive portions of said pattern to said device, means whereby said translator is electrically connected to said calculator so that the response of said photo-sensitive device to the projected pattern de-codes said pattern and places in said calculator a function value corresponding to the value sensed therein.

9. 'Ihe combination comprising a recorder having a plurality of keys to be actuated andvprinting means controlled thereby, value storing means including a film having function and inverse function values imprinted thereon in spaced correspondent positions, optical projection means, selector means responsive to thev actuation of said keys for positioning selected portions of said lm for projection of one function by said optical projection means, a photo-sensitive translator including means responsiveto the projection of said function value to actuate the keys corresponding to said value, means in said rcorder for totalizing said values, and means for shifting said lm to position the same for projection of the inverse function value corresponding to the totalized function value, thereby to translate the accumulated function values back into the form of information originally employed when said keys were actuated.

10. In a recorder, the combination of a mechanism for registering decimal numbers including a print lbar for each digit in each decimal order, means controlled byr said keys for projecting a light pattern codified to represent a function value of the number registered by said keys, a translator including a photo-sensitive switch and scanning means positioned to scan and respond to said projected light pattern, a digit selector switch synchronized with said scanning means, and solenoid means associated with each keyV and energized through saidselector switch and said photo-sensitive switch, thereby to energize the keys corresponding to `the digits of the projected pattern value in the order of scanning the pattern.

ll. The combination comprising a decimal number calculator having a set of manually and electrically actuable digit keys, means for materially storing codified representations of function values, selector means controlled by said digit keys to identify the stored function value corresponding to the number placed on said keys, and a translator controlled by the material representation of the identied stored value to electrically actuate the digit keys corresponding thereto.

his EMIK A. AVAKIAN.

mark Witness to mark: Y

GEORGE R. STEPHENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

